Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 22 July 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 October 2004. It was answered by Caroline Flint (Labour) on Monday, 4 October 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what systems are in place to ensure that the relationships between his inspectors involved in monitoring licences for animal experiments and the companies concerned are clear and objective.

Answer: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what systems are in place to ensure that the relationships between his inspectors involved in monitoring licences for animal experiments and the companies concerned are clear and objective. [187085] Caroline Flint: Members of the Inspectorate are highly professional and dedicated and have the complete confidence of Government Ministers. The general civil service codes apply, and in addition inspectors are accountable for their professional conduct to the relevant professional bodies (the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the General Medical Council). As Government employees, they have no conflicts of interest with respect to places, or persons, regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. They are not part of the management structure of the designated establishments, nor do they have any proprietary interest in the outcome of any licensed research programme. In addition, there is an active joint inspection programme, with more than one inspector visiting most places during the course of the year as part of the national inspection programme. Regulated places are also re-assigned between inspectors at regular intervals.

Secondary information